Alternative & Blends red dozen

Angullong Fossil Hill Barbera 2011: While the name of this wine references volcanic hills in Orange located in the Central West of NSW, the wine itself is anything but dead and buried. Earth, leather, dark berry and leaf aromas characterise the nose of this medium red Barbera. It has a deep core of dark berry fruit with extremely firm, yet attractive tannins. With good line and length across the palate, it’s the perfect wine to enjoy with a pepper steak, tomato-based pasta and hard cheeses.

Campbells Limited Release Durif 2010: Durif is also known as Petite Sirah, and while most examples require bottle ageing to allow it to develop into an approachable style, Campbells’ careful nurturing of their Limited Release expression of the variety means it’s a beautiful drink to enjoy now. This medium to deep red Durif has a nose full of plum, raisin and lifted spice. Juicy, sweet dark berry fruit, warm alcohol and smooth dark chocolate show on the palate, which has a cedary spice finish with stacks of fruit-and-nut chocolate complexity.

Château Tanunda The Château Shiraz Nebbiolo Primitivo 2012: The Château range is made from mature Barossa vines with the aim to create wines that are ‘complex, delicious and rich with true individual character’. Nebbiolo and Primitivo hail from Italy, and their savoury berry and spice characters add a European dimension and a more mid-weight, textural palate to this otherwise classic Barossa style. It has ripe dark plum and Christmas cake aromas and a rich, soft palate with toasty oak nuances.